Heel protector or shield



Jan; 12,1932. A. J. GRUBER 7 HEEL PROTECTOR OR SHIELD Filed July 20, 1931 gnmentoz Patented Jan. 12, 1932 PATENT OFFICE ALFRED J'. GRUIBER, F ATLANTA, GEORGIA HEEL PROTECTOR OR SHIELD Application filed J uly. 20,

This invention relates to a shield or pro tector for the heels of shoes and particularly the usual high heels of ladies shoes, to prevent soiling thereof or contact of the outer surface with pedals or the like, as encountered in operating an automobile for example.

A particular object is to provide an article accomplishing the end stated, which may be made from a single piece or stamping of resilient sheet metal, and which may be attached of itself, that is without the aid of any extraneous fastening, such as a nail or screw.

It is further aimed to provide a preferably one-piece article of the character stated wherein heel engaging flanges perform the further functions of gripping means for the fingers, prevent distortion of the shield and cause the same to yield from the rear along a substantially central line, in order to move attaching spurs to and from a position between the counter and upper lift of the heel, said flanges and spurs also coacting to prevent vertical and lateral movement of the shield relatively to the heel when the shield is in place.

The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connecing a heel at 11 depending from the counter 12 above which the upper lift 13 is provided.

The shield constituting the present invention comprises a metallic body which is preferably a single piece or stamping of resilient sheet metal, for instance copper, although no limitation as to material is to be implied. The body 14 may be lined if de- 1931. Serial No. 552,042.

sired either interiorly or exteriorly, or completely covered.

Said body 14 is generally arcuate in horizontal section so as to conform to the shape of the heel, the body being open at the front of the heel and at top and bottom. The upper edge 15 of the body conforms in shape to the line of junction between the upper lift 13 and counter, and the forward ends thereof terminate in inwardly extending attaching spurs 16 which, as well shown in Fig. 2, extend or wedge into the space at said junction line between the counter 12 and upper lift 13, and overhang said counter 12.

Said spurs 16 project forwardly a con-' siderable distance beyond the front wall of the heel, and the lower edge portions of the shield are provided with elongated flanges 17 adapted to engage against the front wall of the heel.

The normal position of the shield is shown in Fig. 3. When the same is applied to the heel, the fingers of the hands of the user engage the flanges 17 and are manipulated to move the flanges apart, thereby springing the shield along a substantially vertical line centrally of the rear thereof, whereby not only the flanges 17 but the spurs 16 are spread apart.

In this condition, the shield is applied to the heel and thereupon released, so that the spurs 16 due to the fact that the shield is elastic will occupy the position of Fig. 2, preventing downward displacement of the shield, and the flanges 17 will engage the front wall of the heel, preventing lateral dis placement of the shield.

The shield as a whole thus conforms intimately with the shape of the engaged wall of the heel, and has a clasping and retaining pressure thereagainst.

The shield is preferably made from relatively thin sheet metal, and to this end the flanges 17 are relatively long as shown. Such tion of the body from the central rear vertical line as set forth.

Various changes may be'resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1.-A shield for a shoe heel comprising a flexible and elastic body of heel-shape open at the breast portion thereof and devoid of flanges along the upper and lower edges, said body having spurs at the upper forward ends adapted to enter between the counter and upper lift of a shoe, said body havingfianges at the forward edges adapted for engagement with the breast of the heel.

2. A shield for a shoe heel comprising a one piece sheet of thin flexible and elastic metal of heel-shape open at the breast there of and devoid of flanges along the upper and lower edges, said body having integral spurs at the upper forward ends adapted vto enter between the counter and upper lift of a shoe, said bodyhaving integral elongated upright flanges at theforward edges rearwardly of the spurs adapted for engagement with the breast of theheel. I I I I ALF-REDJ. GRUBER. 

